Guest Author: Allie Pleiter

My friend Allie Pleiter's latest book released just a few days ago. She's here to tell us more about it. Welcome, Allie!

Tell us about the inspiration for your latest release, Mission of Hope.

You’re writing a romance during what?

Lots of eyebrows raised when I told people I was working on a romance novel set in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fires. I got lots of looks that broadcast, “Well, if you can crank a happy ending out of that, good luck to you.”

What better place to portray how love really does conquer all? Did you know that a record number of marriage licenses were issued in the aftermath of the disaster? While lots of things were destroyed beyond repair, lives are never so damaged that they cannot be redeemed. Especially when God is involved.

Quinn and Nora both know their lives are forever changed, but both also recognize that God holds new futures for them. Both sense God’s larger plan is just out of sight, and the vital part of the love story is that they bring out the best and strongest in each other. What drama could be more compelling? The scope of their romance demanded an epic backdrop like the earthquake.

So yes, I am writing a romance set during the 1906 earthquake. I wouldn’t have it an other way.

Here's the summary:

No one knows who he is or where he’s from. But witnesses throughout San Francisco report a masked man in black is bringing supplies--and badly needed hope--to homeless earthquake survivors. Some believe that the city’s gallant rescuer is a gentleman of wealth. But others whisper that he is a working class man with courage as great as his faith. And rumor has it that one of the city’s most spirited society belles is helping him against her family’s wishes. What can be confirmed is that the masked messenger will need more than a miracle to escape those on his trail--and win the woman risking everything to save him...

And in place of a review, here's an excerpt:

She looked right into his eyes, and Quinn felt his stomach drop out through what was left of the soles of his shoes. “You’ll probably think it’s silly, but you’ve been such an encouragement to me. Here I was thinking God had left me alone, and you do all those things—those little but very big things—that let me know He’s still minding my path. You’re an answer to my prayers, Quinn Freeman. How does that make you feel?”

He knew the exact moment his heart left his body. The exact instant it disobeyed all the good and solid reasons he had for not pining over Nora Longstreet and left to follow her of its own accord. He stared at her, knowing his affections had just overstepped all kinds of bounds and not caring. He no longer had any choice in the matter. “I’m thinking it might not be wise to answer that, Miss Longstreet.”

~~~~~

An avid knitter, coffee junkie, and devoted chocoholic, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction. The enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie spends her days writing books, buying yarn, and finding new ways to avoid housework. Allie hails from Connecticut, moved to the midwest to attend Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois. The “dare from a friend” to begin writing has produced two parenting books, twelve novels, and various national speaking engagements on faith, women’s issues, and writing. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com or her knitting blog at www.DestiKNITions.blogspot.com